OPP and MTO Conduct 5-Day Highway Enforcement Initiative Targeting Unsafe Vehicles

From September 9 to 13, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) NER TIME Unit partnered with officers from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and local detachments to launch a five-day highway enforcement initiative. The operation focused on ensuring the safety of vehicles on highways near Cochrane and Timmins, targeting impaired and unsafe commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

Key Enforcement Results:

– 1,496 Mandatory Alcohol Screening tests conducted.

– 4 arrests of CMV drivers for impaired driving, including one driver transporting 36,000 kg of hazardous Ammonia Hydrate.

– Three drivers issued 3-day suspensions for being in the « warn range » for alcohol.

– One seizure of crystal meth and cannabis found readily accessible to a driver.

– 45 Level-1 and 87 Level-2 CMV inspections were completed.

– 46 CMVs were taken out of service due to violations.

– The OPP aviation unit was deployed to patrol dangerous driving behaviors, focusing on tailgating. One CMV was observed following another vehicle at a dangerously close 2-foot distance.

– A total of 429 provincial offence charges were laid, including two for stunt driving and three 7-day vehicle impounds under the Traffic Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA).

Impaired Drivers Charged:

– A 67-year-old from Courtice

– A 55-year-old from Sudbury

– A 68-year-old from Regina, SK

– A 40-year-old from Airdrie, AB

All four drivers were charged with impaired driving, had their licences suspended for 90 days, and their trucks impounded for seven days.

This enforcement initiative highlights the OPP’s dedication to maintaining road safety, particularly in addressing impaired driving involving commercial vehicles. The collaborative effort with the MTO and local detachments emphasizes the importance of proactive enforcement in ensuring public safety.